HC Deb 14 April 1930 vol 237 cc2625-6
39. Mr. DAY

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total acreage in England which is urgently in need of arterial drainage; when the last survey was made; and will he give particulars?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Noel Buxton)

It was estimated by the Ministry in 1927 that 1,166,000 acres of land in England were urgently in need of arterial drainage. This estimate was based on information supplied by drainage authorities and county councils and by officers of the Ministry, and on the experience of the Ministry, as the result of drainage operations for the relief of unemployment carried out during the years 1921–1926. More recent information which is in the possession of the Ministry as a result of the surveying work which is proceeding in connection with the Land Drainage Bill indicates that the figure given in 1927 must now be regarded as an under-estimate.